Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 47: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will approve the application (details supplied) to transfer ten houses to Kilkenny County Council under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in view of the fact that this application is with his Department for some time. [14772/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Approval issued to Kilkenny County Council on 3 April 2009 in relation to this proposal.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 48: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, with regard to section 96 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 on the provision of social and affordable housing, he has satisfied himself that the county councils have sufficient finance to acquire the 20% of the various developments that are underway in each county; if any county council has notified him that they do not have enough money to pay developers as part of their compliant requirement of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14773/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department met with each local authority in early March as part of the annual Housing Action Plan process. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the direction and content of authorities' proposed Social Housing Investment Programmes, including Part V social housing, and particularly to consider the prioritisation of projects and the reconfiguration of the programme as a whole, so that it can be sustained and consolidated in the changed economic and budgetary circumstances.

On foot of information furnished in the course of this round of Action Plan meetings I am considering the 2009 Social Housing Investment Programme allocations, including funding for Part V social housing, and these should be announced in the coming weeks.

Based on these allocations it will be a matter for housing authorities to finalise their plans for the composition, management and delivery of their programmes, taking into account existing commitments, identifying priority projects and proposals and providing a time line for delivery and a sustainable funding plan for each project and their programme as a whole.

The acquisition of affordable housing under Part V pending its onward sale to affordable purchasers is funded by means of borrowings through the Housing Finance Agency.